Crime spree nets Lynn man prison term

SALEM – A Lynn construction worker who admitted he went on a week-long crime spree robbing and driving a stolen car to feed his addiction is headed to state prison for two and a half years.Daniel K. McTigue, 35, of 3 Light St., #10, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Salem Superior Court to charges of unarmed robbery, receiving a stolen motor vehicle and two counts of attempted robbery before Judge Timothy Q. Feeley.The charges arise out of three separate incidents in Saugus and Lynn that began last July.Assistant District Attorney Greg A. Friedholm said he would have produced evidence at a trial that on July 23 at about 9 p.m., a man wearing a black T-shirt, plaid shorts and white sneakers walked into the Dunkin’ Donuts on Lincoln Ave., in Saugus.McTigue showed what employees thought was a black handgun and demanded money.Eight days later, on July 31, police theorize that McTigue stole an Infinity out of Chelsea and drove it to Lynn, where he attempted to rob two Lynn businesses, Super 99 Fish Market located at 873 Western Ave., and Chopstick Restaurant located at 855 Western Ave.Police captured McTigue as he was running from the restaurant empty- handed. He admitted to his involvement in the crimes, but denied he was carrying any guns.Friedholm urged the judge to send McTigue to prison for up to five years saying it was “appropriate, ” basing his recommendation on the fact that McTigue had put a number of “people in harm’s way,” by carrying what they thought was an actual firearm.The prosecutor pointed out to Feeley that McTigue has multiple convictions of assault and battery and larceny type offenses on his record, while taking into account that McTigue was going through a rough time including drug addiction.Defense lawyer Alice Jayne pleaded for a more lenient punishment, suggesting two to three years in prison with probation, saying the incidents were “motivated by drug and mental health issues.”Feeley explained that he considered that McTigue had accepted responsibility for his actions early and cooperated with authorities.McTigue served 299 days awaiting trial on the case.